My First Chocolate Fondant Cake (aka Molten Chocolate Lava Cake)

The other day I had such an intense craving for chocolate. I ate a piece of my favorite dark but it didn’t satisfy. My body and mind was craving and asking for more than just a piece of chocolate. I wanted something more like chocolate cake. As a chocoholic once the craving or thought enters my brain it won’t go away until it is fully satisfied. Thankfully I remembered a super easy chocolate cake recipe that I had Pinned a couple of weeks ago. The recipe was for Gourmet Getaway’s Chocolate Fondant Cake, many may also know it as molten chocolate cake or lava cake or molten lava cakes. Regardless of what name you know it by, you know that it is one decadent dessert.

I have never eaten this cake at a restaurant and certainly have never baked one myself. The minute I saw Julie’s recipe I knew it would satisfy my chocolate craving. I also loved that her recipe uses half the quantity of eggs and butter but it still looked and sounded delicious. And boy was it ever!

The ease and short ingredients list gave me confidence that I could bake the cakes without messing them up. Julie also states that “It is truly the easiest chocolate fondant recipe you will ever try, and it works every time!” Now how could I resist giving her recipe a try — I simply couldn’t.

You’ll have to go to Julie’s blog, Gourmet Getaways, to get her recipe. But before you head over there I want to tell you the couple changes I made. For the chocolate I used dark baker’s chocolate, it is very strong and very delicious. Her recipe calls for ground hazelnuts but I used ground coffee spiced pecans. They gave an extra added flavor that complimented perfectly. Lastly she dusted her cakes with powdered sugar and instead I sprinkled mine with fresh orange zest and a pinch of granulated sugar. Orange and chocolate compliment each other perfectly.

Even though I followed the instructions exactly as Julie stated I was nervous that I might over bake them. As I cut into the first piece mine seemed more well done than the cakes in her photos. But after eating that first bite and exposing more of the center the chocolate lava spilt out. I won’t lie to you I did a happy dance.

Halfway through eating my first molten lava cake my toes curled and I knew my life would never be the same. These are seriously the best chocolate cakes ever! I don’t think I’ll ever go back to eating regular chocolate cake. Especially now that I have this super easy and fast recipe — thanks for sharing Julie!

You are killing me here, I never am satisfied with just a piece of chocolate, believe me I wish I was. I always seem to want more. Love how you put more in your lava cake. I haven’t baked on of these in years, I think it’s time I make my toes curl up again (lol). Hope you have a great weekend.
-Gina-

Everytime I see a Molten chocolate cake I want to make it and this one is no exception. My fear is that once I make it, I will never make another dessert again. I love your addition of coffee spice pecans and the orange. I have always thought that orange and chocolates were great complements!

So jealous of your delicious lava cake! I’ve tried a few times but not successful… I saw my friend made it and I thought oh it’s easy! I don’t know why I cannot make it right when I do it myself… arrhh! I wish I have a plate of this lava cake. All my tiredness will go away in a second! :)

Hi Nancy, I love your work and your website, but your photos and frames are stunning and spectacular, congratulations that is not easy to get your results. I will be attentive to all your publications.